LAUNCH PAD AT CAPE CANAVERAL AIR FORCE STATION DEMOLISHED, 1999-10-14 (photo)

Linear-shaped charges are detonated on the umbilical tower (L) and the service tower on historic Launch Complex 41 at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, October 14. The aunch pad towers that serviced rockets carrying NASA space probes to Mars and the outer planets were toppled on Thursday by high explosives. The towers at Launch Complex 41 at the Cape Canaveral Air Station were demolished to make way for the Atlas 5, a new breed of rocket due to make its debut in late 2001. "We really try not to blow up things," said Adrian Laffitte of Lockheed Martin Corp., which leases the launch pad. "It was a lot of fun, as exciting as seeing a launch. JLS